Glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness in persons over 60. Glaucoma-related blindness, on the other hand, can generally be avoided with early treatment.

What Is Glaucoma and How Does It Affect You?

Glaucoma is a collection of eye diseases that affect the optic nerve, which is essential for good vision. Excessively high pressure in your eye is typically the source of this injury.

Glaucoma is one of the most common causes of blindness in persons over 60. It may strike anyone at any age, although it is more frequent among the elderly.

Many types of glaucoma have no symptoms. Because the effect is s slow, you may not detect a change in vision until the problem has progressed significantly.

Because glaucoma vision loss is irreversible, it’s critical to get frequent eye exams that include measures of your eye pressure so that a diagnosis may be established early and treatment can begin. 

Vision loss can be delayed or avoided if glaucoma is detected early. You’ll almost certainly require therapy for the remainder of your life if you have the disease.

What Are the Different Kinds of Glaucoma?

There are five different forms of glaucoma. These are the following:

Open-Angle (Chronic) Glaucoma

The only symptom of open-angle, or chronic, glaucoma is progressive visual loss. This loss might be so gradual that it causes irreversible harm to your eyesight before any other symptoms appear. This is the most frequent kind of glaucoma.

Glaucoma with Angle Closure (Acute)

The fast buildup of fluid if the passage of your aqueous humor fluid is abruptly halted can produce a significant, immediate, and painful increase in pressure. Angle-closure glaucoma is a life-threatening condition. Call your doctor right away if you start to experience extreme pain, nausea, or impaired vision.

Congenital Glaucoma

Glaucoma that is present at birth is known as congenital glaucoma.

Congenital glaucoma affects children due to an abnormality in the angle of their eyes, which delays or hinders normal fluid outflow. Cloudy eyes, frequent weeping, and sensitivity to light are common signs of congenital glaucoma. Glaucoma is a congenital condition that can run in families.

Secondary Glaucoma 

Secondary glaucoma is frequently a result of an accident or another eye problem, such as cataracts or tumors. Medications like corticosteroids can also cause this form of glaucoma. Secondary glaucoma is a rare side effect of eye surgery.

Glaucoma with Normal Tension

The optic nerve can be damaged even in those who do not have high eye pressure. The reason behind this is unknown. Extreme sensitivity or a lack of blood supply to your optic nerve, on the other hand, might be a cause.

What Causes Glaucoma in the First Place?

Aqueous humor, the fluid inside your eye, normally drains out of your eye through a mesh-like channel. The liquid builds up if this duct becomes clogged or if the eye produces too much fluid. 

Specialists aren’t always sure what causes the obstruction. It can, however, be inherited, which means that it is handed on from parents to children.

Physical or chemical damage to the eye, a serious eye disease, clogged blood vessels inside your eye, and inflammatory disorders are also less frequent glaucoma causes. 

It’s uncommon, but eye surgery to treat another problem might sometimes trigger it. Both eyes are equally affected; however, one may be more affected than the other.

How Do You Know If You Have Glaucoma?

Primary open-angle glaucoma is the most prevalent kind of glaucoma. Except for progressive eyesight loss, there are no indications or symptoms. As a result, it’s critical to get yearly complete eye exams so that your ophthalmologist, or eye specialist, can keep track of any changes in your eyesight.

A life-threatening condition is acute-angle closure glaucoma, commonly known as narrow-angle glaucoma. If you have any of the following symptoms, see your doctor right away:

• Extreme ocular discomfort
• Nausea
• Abrupt vision disturbances, vomiting, redness in your eye
• Colorful circles appear around lights
• Eyesight suddenly becomes hazy

Treatment For Glaucoma

To relieve the pressure in your eye, your doctor may use prescription eye drops, oral medicines, laser surgery, or microsurgery.

Eye Drops

Drops either reduce or enhance fluid flow out of your eye, decreasing ocular pressure. Allergies, redness, stinging, impaired vision, and irritated eyes are possible side effects. 

Some glaucoma medications might harm your heart and lungs. Because of the risk of drug interactions, inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you may have or drugs you are taking. 

Also, let them know if following a regimen containing two or three different eye drops is difficult for you or if there are any negative effects. They might be able to make a difference in your therapy.

Oral Medication

Your doctor may also prescribe an oral drug, such as a beta-blocker or a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, for you to take. These medications can help with drainage or slow fluid production in the eye.

Laser surgery

Laser surgery is a procedure that involves the use of laser energy. If you have open-angle glaucoma, this operation can help to increase the flow of fluid out of your eye. If you have angle-closure glaucoma, it can help you avoid fluid obstruction.

Your Contribution To Glaucoma Treatment

Successful glaucoma treatment requires collaboration between you and your doctor. Your ophthalmologist will prescribe your glaucoma therapy. It is your responsibility to follow your doctor’s advice and utilize your eye drops.

Your ophthalmologist will want to visit you frequently once you start taking glaucoma drugs. You should see your ophthalmologist once every 3 to 6 months. This, however, may vary based on your treatment requirements.

Speak with your ophthalmologist if you have any questions regarding your eyes or treatment.